11-05-2025
City of Melbourne blames state and Commonwealth for stalled Greenline development on the Yarra River
The City of Melbourne's plan to revitalise the Yarra River has stalled, with the council blaming a lack of funding from the state and Commonwealth governments.
The Greenline project — which drew comparisons to New York's popular High Line elevated parkway — was announced in 2022 by the then-Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
It was touted as transforming the northern bank of the Yarra, with boardwalks and parks, along with floating wetlands and native insect, bird and fish habitats, stretching from Birrarung Marr to the Bolte Bridge.
The council said the project incorporated the culture and heritage of the area's traditional owners while meeting the community's calls to improve amenities and the health of the river.
Last year's City of Melbourne budget revealed the $316 million project had only been allocated $27 million over four years.
On Tuesday night, the council's draft 2025-26 budget will include just $18 million to allow for the completion of the Birrarung Marr stage, which includes the wetlands outside Melbourne's aquarium.
But Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece is adamant the project is not dead.
"I'm a greater supporter of the Greenline project and it is going to continue," Mr Reece said on Sunday.
The Seafarers Rest Park and the Collins Wharf redevelopment in Docklands were also expected to be completed with private funding from developers.
But Cr Reece said Greenline had failed to receive crucial state and Commonwealth funding.
"We have reallocated some funds in our budget which had been earmarked to be matching funding with other governments, so we can direct those funds to other priority needs across the city."
Cr Reece said the money would be diverted to a new North Melbourne community hub and Southbank library.
A council spokesperson said the City of Melbourne would continue to "advocate strongly" for additional funding for the future stages of the Greenline project.
The council insisted its business case indicated it would create thousands of jobs, attract tourists and be worth millions of dollars to the local economy.
But the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Comittee of Melbourne said the money was better spent elsewhere.
"We know we've got a lot of fantastic events and facilities already within the city that attracts a lot of people," said the committee's chief executive Scott Veenker.
"Was this one of the real pressing or burning platform initiatives that needed to be delivered? We just didn't believe that was the case at this point in time.
"Our members say they want a city that's safe and has really good amenity and is accessible as well and I just didn't feel as if Greenline should have been the number one priority for the local government going forward."
The ABC spoke to people visiting Melbourne's CBD on Sunday, with all saying they were disappointed the Greenline project may not go ahead.
"It kind of looked cool in the pictures … maybe we can still resurrect that plan or maybe it can get up in another three or four years when the right people and circumstances come to power so we can do good things," one man said.
"Oh damn", a cyclist responded when the ABC told him the future of the project was in doubt.
"I'm sorry to hear that, that would have been wonderful. I have been to the one in New York and it's amazing."
A woman said she believed it would have benefited residents, the environment and the aesthetic of the city
"I really support greenlines and Melbourne is such a beautiful city, why not augment that wonderful leafy image that we have.
"Reinstate that funding."
Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts, Harriet Shing, said the project was not a priority for the state government.
"Any matters around the Greenline are matters that are best directed to the City of Melbourne," she said.
